Australia’s first-ever airport resort, Novotel & Mercure Darwin Airport Resort, has been Sustainable Tourism Certified by Ecotourism Australia.
It is only the second hotel in Darwin to receive the certification and one of few airport hotels in the world to be accredited as sustainability pioneers.
The Ecotourism Australia Sustainable Tourism Certification program certifies that businesses are minimising negative impacts and maximising benefits for the environment, communities, and culture. According to Ecotourism Australia: “The program is a comprehensive business development tool and provides the opportunity for businesses to become sustainability leaders by following global best practice sustainability standards.”
Certification is provided to businesses in the tourism sector that are:
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Committed to sustainable business and operational practices and ongoing improvements
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Committed to reducing emissions and their carbon footprint
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Engaged with, and give back to the local community
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Operate to support and nurture Indigenous culture
Owners of the resort, Airport Development Group (ADG), made sustainability an integral component of the redevelopment of the previously separate Novotel and Mercure hotels into an integrated resort. These included:
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Establishing a biodiversity and habitat restoration program to prioritise Indigenous ecological knowledge and practices to ensure restoration efforts align with Indigenous cultural values.
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A Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Plan has been developed, based on data and predictions by the CSRIO and Bureau of Meteorology, that identifies risks and opportunities under a changing climate.
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Extensive investment in large-scale solar generation in the precinct to meet net zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2030. A central objective is to reduce carbon emissions from operations by 20% within the next three years.
General Manager of the Novotel & Mercure Darwin Airport Resort, Chris Chaffe, said that the resort had become an industry leader in its environmental, social and cultural initiatives since launching in December 2023.
“At Novotel & Mercure Darwin Airport, sustainability is more than a goal; it is part of our identity and the way we do things,” said Mr Chaffe.
“One of our most ambitious goals is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. This commitment drives our ongoing efforts to innovate and implement sustainable practices across all areas of our operations.
“Enhancing energy efficiency has been a priority for the team, and the resort’s energy supply will be increasingly sourced through solar panels from within the airport precinct.
“Equally important in our sustainability certification has been our commitment to the Larrakia Aboriginal heritage and culture of the Darwin region.
“The resort utilises Indigenous art extensively, including the Larrakia Welcome to Country mural titled Mamilima, created on a disused airport water tower at the entrance to Darwin Airport Resort, and two massive murals on the Novotel exterior. These art pieces give visitors an immediate connection to Larrakia people and Indigenous culture, particularly the diversity of Indigenous culture across the Territory.
“Reflecting our gateway position to the Territory, each section of the resort is being themed to represent a different Territory region through specific colour palettes, artwork, and information boards to enhance visitors’ experience and understanding of Aboriginal culture and the history of the Northern Territory. Each of our Tropical Pool Villas commemorates the legacy and achievements of a renowned NT individual.
“We aim to involve our guests in our sustainability goals, whether it be helping reduce waste, being energy efficient, or immersing themselves in our Indigenous cultural programs. The Gurumbai Cultural Trail has been created adjacent to the resort in conjunction with Larrakia custodians to allow our guests to take a self-guided walk to Gurambai Creek, to visit one of their special sites and learn about the region’s unique flora and fauna along the way.
“The airport precinct plays a vital role in the Top End economy and Darwin Airport Resort contributes significantly to the tourism economy and employment, particularly through the pioneering ADG Indigenous Training Academy, which is training and mentoring young Indigenous Australians to develop sustainable careers in the tourism and services sector.
“Being awarded Sustainable Tourism certification aligns perfectly with the expectations of today’s travellers and our corporate clients, who increasingly seek responsible options and prefer hotels with independently accredited sustainable certification.”
